Originally posted by Hogan's My DadI really haven't been entertained by Triple H in years and want him to go away.

I was watching the '07 Rumble the other day to get, like, Rumble pumped, and did remember how enjoyable it is to get to do stuff without him.

I've been kind of disingenuous because I definitely was all "boo" when Punk was eliminated, 'cause I didn't want the good times to stop rolling. But I saw it like JOrquiola, a time-tested Rumble meme where a big heel's luck runs out and he gets stopped by a big babyface.

(edited by JustinShapiro on 1.2.10 1322)

Was bringing up the Survivor Series from a few years back necessary on my part? Probably not. But really, HHH does seem the type to have a very long memory about things like that.

I guess that was my issue with this though is that meme rarely results in elimination of the heel alone, but rather in folding the guy into the rumble as just another participant or in both guys being eliminated. When Austin was doing his thing in the Rumble the one year then got scared of Hart's arrival, they didn't toss Austin two minutes later. When Foley attacked Randy Orton they both got eliminated. Hell, we saw it last night when Mark Henry came out during the Big Show's reign of terror, and in the MVP/Miz moment. Maybe that's why it struck me the way it did, because it really didn't feel like the usual Rumble formula. I figured HHH would slow him down and some guys would come in and Punk would become a normal part of the match at that point until his eventual elimination. Instead it was facebuster, spinebuster, GTS reversal, pedigree, goodnight all before #10 even came out. It just struck me as really really fast and oddly paced.

So, any Rumble geeks out there how this Rumble's time compared to other Rumbles? I know the original Rumble only had 20 men, but the times were spaced a lot further apart. I remember one that they breezed through, so I know there are at least one or two that were shorter. I'm guessing this was the 4th shortest Rumble ever.

Also R-Truth had the most surprising Maven moment of the night. I'm curious if this is just a fluke, or if they plan on doing anything with the guy. Everytime I think I'm ready to get into the guy I end up not getting into him. I don't know if it's the positions he gets put into or if it's just him.

Originally posted by Psycho PenguinYeah I can't* believe people are complaining that HHH threw Punk out of the Rumble. Obviously Punk was either supposed to win or throw himself out like a moron.

*I can totally believe it, although for a second I thought I was back in 2004.

I actually love how WWE has learned specifically how to screw with Punk's internet fanbase. They actually had them convinced, for a moment, that Punk was going to get to throw out EVERY SINGLE OTHER COMPETITOR, one at a time. They know they can get people to flip out just by acting like they're going to give him the God Push and yanking it out from under his fanbase.

You have NO idea how badly I wanted to see Beth Phoenix actually throw him out last night, but it was almost even better that it was Hunter, because of what he represents.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't have some sort of raging hate-on for the smarkier wrestling fans out there, I just find it interesting that WWE can still toy with their emotions as easily as they can, when they really want to.

Originally posted by Kei PosiskunkNow, don't get me wrong, I don't have some sort of raging hate-on for the smarkier wrestling fans out there, I just find it interesting that WWE can still toy with their emotions as easily as they can, when they really want to.

Originally posted by Kei PosiskunkNow, don't get me wrong, I don't have some sort of raging hate-on for the smarkier wrestling fans out there, I just find it interesting that WWE can still toy with their emotions as easily as they can, when they really want to.

You're right it would be hypocritical of me to complain like this and then pay for WM.

Guess I can save $60 this year. That will pay for UFC 111 (you know, the company that has the revolutionary approach of not apparently taking joy in pissing off paying customers) and a pizza to enjoy while watching it. Thanks Bronc! Be sure to let me know how good the HHH going over Sheamus match is!

Originally posted by Kei PosiskunkNow, don't get me wrong, I don't have some sort of raging hate-on for the smarkier wrestling fans out there, I just find it interesting that WWE can still toy with their emotions as easily as they can, when they really want to.

Originally posted by Psycho PenguinYeah I can't* believe people are complaining that HHH threw Punk out of the Rumble. Obviously Punk was either supposed to win or throw himself out like a moron.

*I can totally believe it, although for a second I thought I was back in 2004.

I actually love how WWE has learned specifically how to screw with Punk's internet fanbase. They actually had them convinced, for a moment, that Punk was going to get to throw out EVERY SINGLE OTHER COMPETITOR, one at a time. They know they can get people to flip out just by acting like they're going to give him the God Push and yanking it out from under his fanbase.

You have NO idea how badly I wanted to see Beth Phoenix actually throw him out last night, but it was almost even better that it was Hunter, because of what he represents.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't have some sort of raging hate-on for the smarkier wrestling fans out there, I just find it interesting that WWE can still toy with their emotions as easily as they can, when they really want to.

Actually your comments aren't any better than those you are complaining about, because you as well as all those other "smarkier wrestling fans out there" pretend to know what WWE is thinking and trying to acomplish. YOU my friend are a smarkiepoparkie as well!

Yes, I'm back! I know, I said I would never ever watch that crap again, but ... I just can't live without it, I guess.

Originally posted by Kei PosiskunkNow, don't get me wrong, I don't have some sort of raging hate-on for the smarkier wrestling fans out there, I just find it interesting that WWE can still toy with their emotions as easily as they can, when they really want to.

Originally posted by spfYou're right it would be hypocritical of me to complain like this and then pay for WM.

Guess I can save $60 this year. That will pay for UFC 111 (you know, the company that has the revolutionary approach of not apparently taking joy in pissing off paying customers) and a pizza to enjoy while watching it. Thanks Bronc! Be sure to let me know how good the HHH going over Sheamus match is!

That wasn't directed specifically to you, but if we're going to talk about "pissing off the paying customer", then ask yourself this: are the people comically angry over CM Punk's "mistreatment" considered the majority of WWE fans? Are the majority of WWE fans aware of Triple H's "backstage politicking" and pissed off that Vince is doing nothing about it?

The bottom line is Vince won't really notice that very vocal minority complaining about what he is doing wrong with his product, and if he does, I'm sure he finds it hilarious.

Originally posted by spfInstead it was facebuster, spinebuster, GTS reversal, pedigree, goodnight all before #10 even came out. It just struck me as really really fast and oddly paced.

DISCLAIMER: I didnt watch the Rumble, I only read the QnD recap (and I play a doctor on TV).

Maybe WWE thought Punk's in-between-elimination-promos would turn the fans 100% against him, making the crowd salivate for someone to come out and shut him up. Then when HHH quickly dispatched him, the crowd would be happy about it and cheer? Then on SD, Punk can continue his "Everyone hates my SE lifestyle because you're all junkie/wino hypocrites and you know my way is right" tirades and so on?

Makes sense to me, except for the part where all his in-RR promos actually got him over in the unintended direction.

Originally posted by Big BadEdge got a big pop from the Atlanta crowd and a MASSIVE pop from the audience at the theatre where I was watching the PPV. And an even bigger pop when he actually won the thing.

Hate to stray off-topic, but since everyone is hating on HHH, all is right in the world with me. But I'm curious, when you say "theatre" are you talking like a movie theater or some concert theater? Because I'm really curious how fans react in a place where the only reason to be there is to see the event (i.e. not a bar or similar place where some people might just be there to hang out or other reasons). I've seen several Canadians talk about seeing WWE events at "theaters" so I'm just curious what the fan reaction is to these events since it seems serious fans would make up the majority of those audiences.

Another year, another thread of people complaining about how HHH has kept people down (except Shaemus) and more comments about how he's going to take the strap. He's been out of the title scene for a long time (don't tell me the Tag Titles are the title scene, I won't think it's legit until the WWE starts treating it as a WORLD title)

Wrestlemania will come and go and everybody will hate HHH no matter what he does.

Originally posted by StaggerLeeHe's been out of the title scene for a long time (don't tell me the Tag Titles are the title scene, I won't think it's legit until the WWE starts treating it as a WORLD title)

That's not really a concession when DX has still been the most prominent act in WWE over that time.

Originally posted by StaggerLeeHe's been out of the title scene for a long time (don't tell me the Tag Titles are the title scene, I won't think it's legit until the WWE starts treating it as a WORLD title)

That's not really a concession when DX has still been the most prominent act in WWE over that time.

Not to mention the fact that he is in the title match every single year. He is always "out of the title scene", it's just never around 'Mania time. You have to go back to 2001 to find a year he wasn't in a title match. Is he really so mind-blowingly great that it's a no-brainer that spot is unquestionably his every year without fail, except of course in years where he isn't on the show? (See Mania 23). And this year he wants to do it with a complete nobody.

I don't think anyone here is wishing injury on him, either. I would like him to go away voluntarily but what are the odds of that happening?

I loath HHH and his politics as much as the next smark, but someone was going to shut up Punk, it just happened to be him. Mania is $60, we are getting out of recession and he is adding another $10 to the PPV. I do what I usually do get everyone to pop $11 for food, PPV and a dollar for the Wrestlemania pool, I went perfect with WM 21 and walked out with $20.

I liked the fact that they bookended the PPV by having Christian win the first match and Edge win the Rumble.

Christian was great in that match by the way, carrying his opponent to a good match, working snug but not excessively stiff.

He had a great little bit that he did on every Elijah Jackson pinfall attempt. Except for the last two where he was a bit out of position - on every break, Christian not only rolled out of the pin, but he also slugged or slapped Jackson at the same time - disconcerting Jackson and setting up the Kill-Switch.

With regards to the CM Punk thing, the thing that I noticed is that he hit Beth Phoenix with his finisher (and she properly sold it as death) - then against HHH Punk almost hit the move which would have eliminated HHH. Setting up Punk finally hitting the move probably this week to win the tag titles.

I love the whole Shawn Michaels storyline where Michaels has basically destroyed his friendship with HHH to pursue his obsession with the Undertaker and then came up short. Nice Greek tragedy booking there.

IMO the PPV didn't really entertain me until the Rumble itself. Ezekiel is still way too green, the women's match was unexpectedly short, Mysterio vs. Undertaker was underwhelming, I don't even remember Sheamus vs. Randy. Then Punk comes out and starts tossing out jobbers like an old copy of the Classifieds, and preaches Straight Edge Society in-between eliminations. He almost made the Great Khali EVEN GREATER for God's sake. Triple H eliminating him didn't even bother me cause it was somewhat of a struggle beforehand and sets up sXe Society possibly winning the tag titles. Though the elimination took the wind out of my sails until Edge appeared. Yes he should of been in at least until HBK or Cena came out.

Too green for a title win maybe, but i'd like to suggest that he's not doing too bad for what's being asked of him. He has someone to do the talking for him while he gets better at that, and compared to some of the other bodybuilder types that have been quickly pushed over the years he certainly looks more "dangerous in a good way" rather than "dangerous like he's gonna legit injure somebody way". I'd like to hear him talk more just cos his accent seems to be a weird mix of Guyanese and American, and i'm not sure whether that's how he really speaks due to living in both countries or if he's trying to tone his natural accent down.

I get a similarly weird vibe every time Layla El speaks.

I don't hate that HHH removed Punk, but Punk staying in til Edge then immediately getting eliminated by him might not only remind people how Punk won his first world title, but also leave some fresher reason for Edge [and Christian] to want the tag titles from the sXe society sometime down the line.

Originally posted by Hogan's My Dad Not to mention the fact that he is in the title match every single year. He is always "out of the title scene", it's just never around 'Mania time. You have to go back to 2001 to find a year he wasn't in a title match. Is he really so mind-blowingly great that it's a no-brainer that spot is unquestionably his every year without fail, except of course in years where he isn't on the show? (See Mania 23). And this year he wants to do it with a complete nobody.

I don't think anyone here is wishing injury on him, either. I would like him to go away voluntarily but what are the odds of that happening?

For all the HHHATE, you'd think the guy was booking himself like Dusty in the Jim Crockett days. He may wrestle for the belt on occasion, but when's the last time he had a run with the gold? Hell, Cena gets shoved down out throats more than HHH ever hoped to.